Sony Xperia 10 III vs. Motorola Edge 30: In-Depth Comparison
Two mid-range smartphones with distinct strengths—Sony’s Xperia 10 III prioritizes battery life, a sharper display, and a unique triple-camera setup, while Motorola’s Edge 30 leans into raw performance, a high-refresh-rate screen, and superior charging speeds. Let’s break them down.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Design & Build
Feature | Sony Xperia 10 III | Motorola Edge 30 | Real-World Implications |
---|---|---|---|
Dimensions | 154 × 68 × 8.3 mm | 159.4 × 74.2 × 6.8 mm | Edge 30 is taller & wider, but slimmer; Xperia feels more compact. |
Weight | 169g | 155g | Edge 30 is noticeably lighter—better for one-handed use. |
Screen Protection | Gorilla Glass 6 | Gorilla Glass 3 | Xperia has better drop resistance. |
Fingerprint Sensor | Side-mounted | Basic (in-display) | Xperia’s sensor is more reliable, but placement is subjective. |
Takeaway:
- Xperia 10 III = Compact, sturdy, better drop protection.
- Edge 30 = Larger screen, lighter, slimmer profile.
Display
Feature | Sony Xperia 10 III | Motorola Edge 30 | Real-World Implications |
---|---|---|---|
Size | 6.0" OLED | 6.5" AMOLED | Edge 30 offers more immersive viewing. |
Resolution | 1080x2520 (457 PPI) | 1080x2400 (405 PPI) | Xperia is sharper—text looks cleaner. |
Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 144Hz | Edge 30 is far smoother for gaming & scrolling. |
Takeaway:
- Xperia 10 III = Better clarity, great for reading.
- Edge 30 = Bigger, smoother, better for gaming/media.
Performance
Feature | Sony Xperia 10 III | Motorola Edge 30 | Real-World Implications |
---|---|---|---|
Chipset | Snapdragon 690 | Snapdragon 778G+ | Edge 30 is much faster (122% higher benchmark). |
RAM | 6GB | 6GB/8GB | Edge 30’s extra RAM helps with multitasking. |
Storage | 128GB (non-expandable) | 128GB/256GB | Edge 30 has more storage options. |
Takeaway:
- Edge 30 is the clear winner here—better for gaming, productivity, and future-proofing.
Camera
Feature | Sony Xperia 10 III | Motorola Edge 30 | Real-World Implications |
---|---|---|---|
Main Camera | 12MP (f/1.8) | 50MP (f/1.8) + OIS | Edge 30 has better low-light performance & stabilization. |
Ultrawide | 8MP (f/2.2) | 50MP (f/2.2) | Edge 30’s ultrawide is far more detailed. |
Telephoto | 8MP (2x zoom) | ❌ None | Xperia wins for portrait shots & zoom. |
Selfie | 8MP | 32MP | Edge 30’s selfies are significantly sharper. |
Video | 4K@30fps (no stabilization) | 4K@30fps (with EIS & HDR) | Edge 30 is better for vlogging. |
Takeaway:
- Edge 30 = Better main & ultrawide cameras, superior selfies.
- Xperia 10 III = More versatile with telephoto & ultrawide.
Battery & Charging
Feature | Sony Xperia 10 III | Motorola Edge 30 | Real-World Implications |
---|---|---|---|
Capacity | 4500mAh | 4020mAh | Xperia lasts longer per charge. |
Charging Speed | 18W | 33W | Edge 30 charges almost twice as fast. |
Takeaway:
- Xperia 10 III = Longer battery life.
- Edge 30 = Faster refueling.
2. Key Insights
Sony Xperia 10 III Strengths ✅
✔ Sharper display (457 PPI vs. 405 PPI)
✔ Better battery life (4500mAh vs. 4020mAh)
✔ More versatile cameras (telephoto & ultrawide)
✔ More durable (Gorilla Glass 6 vs. 3)
Motorola Edge 30 Strengths ✅
✔ Much faster performance (Snapdragon 778G+ vs. 690)
✔ Smoother 144Hz display (vs. 60Hz on Xperia)
✔ Better main & selfie cameras (50MP vs. 12MP, 32MP vs. 8MP)
✔ Faster charging (33W vs. 18W)
Trade-Offs & Limitations ⚠️
- Xperia 10 III struggles in gaming due to the weaker chipset.
- Edge 30 lacks a telephoto lens, limiting zoom capabilities.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Who Should Buy the Sony Xperia 10 III?
🔹 Photography enthusiasts who want optical zoom & ultrawide.
🔹 Battery-conscious users who prioritize longevity.
🔹 Compact phone lovers who prefer a smaller, durable body.
Who Should Buy the Motorola Edge 30?
🔹 Gamers & power users who need a fast chipset & 144Hz display.
🔹 Content creators who want better video stabilization & selfies.
🔹 Those who value fast charging (33W vs. 18W).
4. Buying Decision Framework
Ask yourself:
- Do I care more about battery life or performance?
- Xperia = Battery. Edge 30 = Speed.
- Do I need a telephoto lens for zoom shots?
- Xperia is the only one with a dedicated telephoto.
- Do I prefer a smoother (144Hz) or sharper (457 PPI) display?
- Edge 30 for fluidity, Xperia for text clarity.
Scenario Recommendations
🎮 Gaming? → Edge 30 (144Hz + Snapdragon 778G+).
📸 Versatile photography? → Xperia 10 III (telephoto + ultrawide).
🔋 All-day battery? → Xperia 10 III.
⚡ Fast charging? → Edge 30.
Final Verdict: Which One Would I Choose?
Motorola Edge 30 (for most users) ✅
- Why? The 144Hz display, faster chipset, better main camera, and 33W charging make it a better all-rounder in 2024. The Xperia’s battery life and telephoto lens are nice, but the performance gap is too large—the Edge 30 will stay smooth for years.
Sony Xperia 10 III (for niche users) ✅
- Why? Only if you really want optical zoom, a compact size, or max battery endurance. Otherwise, the Edge 30 is the smarter buy.
My Pick? 🏆 Motorola Edge 30—it’s simply the more modern, powerful device.